Sleep Apnea Therapy – Midland, TX
Take Back Your Good Night’s Sleep
While sleeping habits may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to dentistry, sleep dentistry with Dr. Philipps is one of the most effective ways to treat conditions like obstructive sleep apnea. Without treatment, your ability to get proper sleep is extremely hindered, leaving you at risk of overall health complications, lost productivity, and a lower quality of life. With sleep apnea therapy in Midland, TX, we can confirm the presence of sleep apnea and put you on the right path towards treatment. Give our dental office a call today to get started!
Why Choose Laura Philipps, DMD for Sleep Apnea Therapy?
- At-Home Sleep Tests Available Through our Sleep Care Program
- Comprehensive Sleep Diagnosis and Screenings
- Works Closely with Patients to Ensure Proper Treatment is Provided
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that develops when an oral obstruction appears in the airway, preventing proper airflow through the mouth and into the lungs. The result is an inability to receive oxygen during sleep with instances of waking up in the middle of the night. In severe cases, apneas can happen as many as 100 times in one night, making it impossible to achieve deep sleep. Without proper rest, you put both your overall health and your safety at risk, especially if you drive to work on a regular basis.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is loud snoring, but just because you or a family member snores doesn’t necessarily confirm that sleep apnea is present. There are other symptoms to keep in mind as well, including:
- Occasionally waking up gasping or choking
- Chronic sleepiness throughout the day
- Waking up with a sore or dry throat
- Morning headaches
- Restless sleep
- Forgetfulness, irritability, mood swings, or difficulty concentrating throughout the day
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, the best next step is for you to come to our dental office, so we can confirm your condition and provide a more detailed diagnosis.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can do more than negatively impact your ability to function day-to-day. It can lead to more serious health-related conditions that can cost you additional time and money to address. What can easily start as a restless night’s sleep can quickly progress into high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, and even a heart attack or stroke. By seeking professional treatment for your sleep apnea, we can ensure you start breathing easier and sleeping better.
Learn More About the Dangers of Sleep Apnea
What Is the Sleep Care Program?
At Dr. Laura Philipps’ dental office, we offer a Sleep Care Program designed to confirm the presence of sleep apnea and put you on the right path towards treatment. In order to test whether you have sleep apnea, we perform what is known as an at-home sleep test and screening. To complete this process, we examine your sleep patterns throughout the night and use that data to build a more comprehensive diagnosis of your condition. If we determine that you do in fact have sleep apnea, we’ll create a customized oral appliance that fits comfortably in your mouth and keeps the pathway open for proper breathing while you sleep.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
The traditional way to treat sleep apnea is with a CPAP machine, which is a device that can deliver a constant stream of air into your throat and keep your airway clear. But what if you’ve found that you’re CPAP intolerant? Fortunately, the oral appliances provided by our team can offer an alternative solution.
Oral appliances take a different approach to keeping the airway unobstructed – namely by moving the jaw slightly forward and keeping the tongue in place. There will be no noisy machines or uncomfortable masks to worry about, and it’ll be easy to take your oral appliance with you when you go traveling.
Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
You definitely want to begin your sleep apnea treatment sooner rather than later, but it is important to take the time to figure out how much it will cost first. There are a few different factors that can end up influencing the amount you pay, and there are a number of ways to make the treatment more affordable. Our team is here to answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding the financial aspect of sleep apnea treatment.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea treatment is normally covered by medical insurance as opposed to dental insurance. The specifics of your coverage can vary depending on the plan you have, so be sure to take the time to double-check your benefits. You can always contact your insurance provider if you have questions.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment
As you can probably guess, the exact type of sleep apnea treatment you choose will affect the final price. Compared to CPAP therapy, oral appliances tend to be the more affordable option. On top of that, you’ll need to take the level of coverage offered by your medical insurance into account, as it will influence the amount that is paid out of your own pocket.
It should be noted that the sleep test will carry its own separate cost. This is important to bear in mind, as a sleep test is necessary for determining whether sleep apnea is truly present.
Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health
If you’re not sure whether sleep apnea treatment is worth the cost, consider the impact that the disorder can have on your health if it isn’t treated. The sleep deprivation associated with sleep apnea can make you more likely to get into an accident while driving. Furthermore, people with sleep apnea tend to be more likely to suffer from heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. Seeking proper treatment for sleep apnea can be the key to avoiding the most severe consequences of the disorder.
Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable
We’ll make sure that you’re aware of the options you can take to make sleep apnea treatment more budget-friendly. Not only will we help you file the necessary insurance claims, but we also take CareCredit – a trusted third-party financing option that comes with various monthly payment plans to choose from.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Why Should I See a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
While it may seem odd, seeing a dentist for sleep apnea treatment is a good choice. Many dental providers have the ability to fix nighttime sleep issues.
You see, dentists have expert knowledge of the upper respiratory area. They learn facts about that region as part of their training in general dentistry. As a result, they know how to reposition your lower jaw to keep your airway open at night. Many will prescribe you a custom oral appliance that does exactly that, ensuring you get a good night’s rest.
Aside from treatment, a dentist can also offer answers to sleep-related questions. They’ll even check your mouth to see if breathing troubles could be the true problem.
Can My Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
A regular dentist can’t diagnose sleep apnea themselves; only a sleep doctor can. That said, a trained sleep dentist can do a screening to see if you should get tested and coordinate your care. These roles are valuable when a patient is at high risk of sleep apnea.
Overall, it’s best to have an official OSA diagnosis before you pursue treatment. You’ll be better prepared and grasp which type of care you need. With a diagnosis in hand, you can trust a sleep dentist to provide oral appliance therapy or other options.
How Soon After Starting Sleep Apnea Treatment Will I Notice Improvement?
How quickly treatment helps you will depend on the type you get. Different sleep dentists offer different procedures, each with unique methods and effects.
Take our practice’s oral appliance therapy, for example. It should help you have better sleep almost immediately, though you may need a night or two to adjust. That improvement is something most people would feel in little time; most would notice they feel less irritable, more energized, etc. Still, the only way to confirm whether your appliance works is to take another sleep test. If the test shows that your symptoms have lessened or subsided, it’s a good sign!
Can I Have Oral Appliance Therapy If I Grind My Teeth?
Thankfully, oral appliance therapy can help sleep apnea patients who grind their teeth. Its oral devices are even designed to endure the force of such grinding.
As a bonus, many oral appliances can also help prevent tooth damage. They stop the two rows of teeth from meeting, keeping wear and tear at bay. That means treatment could address your sleep apnea and teeth grinding at the same time!